Landing wake to wake is almost always gonna be a softer landing than taking it to the flats. The boards that some of the guys have listed above like the marius, shane, lyman all have features on the bottom of the board that help break the water especially in the flats to soften the landing.

And yes bindings matter. Some people think more than the board. I good pair of bindings can make riding a lot more enjoyable, therefore allowing you to ride longer.

As for bindings: Currently you at least have a "double-deckered" foot bed. Those started being used around 2000. I remember reading in the past that byerly's foot beds were a little more "dense" than the other hyperlite boots (i don't know if that still holds true today)

Some people will swear by one brand over another. I personally have liked hyperlites footbeds the best. I think liquid force's are kinda stiff and not as plush... BUT other people will tell you a completely oposite opinion. Go to a wake store and put on at least one of each companys' bindings then jump up and down a couple of times and see which company's binding foot beds feels softest TO YOU. Then decide which of that company's bindings is most comfortable from the sole up. i.e. the wraps and stuff.

As for a board suggestion: SLINGSHOT recoil or response I personally have not tried any of the boards mentioned so far. But i have tried the SLINGSHOT boards. Slingshot boards have a unique flex pattern that rebounds back to its original shape quickly. The flex allows ultra soft landings and the rebound adds additional pop when loaded correctly. If at all possible i would suggest checking them out. Flex is relatively new to wake and it takes a while getting used to. I and many others addicted to flex personally will never ride a traditional board ever again. (Liquid Force came out with a similar board in competition called the "press") I have heard lots of good things about the Marius and the Shane as Umali mentioned. The LF Lyman is new this year so not a whole lot of experienced opinions exist for it. As said it (Lyman) has a nice center spine and other bottom features to soften the landings.

ALL AND ALL look for one of two things 1. Flex i.e. slingshot recoil or response, LF press, Obrien Local (i know of no one who has ridden and commented about the LF one or the Obrien one) 2. Center spines and other bottom/belly features that make for soft landings i.e. Shane, Marius, etc. (The list of boards in this category is too long for my patience to search and type at the moment)

CWB Marius. i am almost the same height and weight as you and thats what i ride. it has the softest landings of any board i have ever been on and also gives you full control of what u want to do. go big, go wake to wake(good for the knees), go into the flats, and float out your tricks. Really its all up to you. good luck man.

slingshot recoil is unreal for soft landings. I hit double ups on it and just boost big air and i find that my knees are not buckling on the landings at all, and as for the flats, its like you never left the water! Id love to try a marius but havent gotten a chance yet unfortunately.

I'm about the same size as you, and personally, I'd recommend looking into a ronix or slingshot setup as others have mentioned. the ronix bindings are super comfortable and their footbed design should help decrease the impact of landings. i'm riding the 08 covin right now and it feels pretty smooth landing off of big kickers.

I have ridden the shane (own one), Watson, natural, byerly, and slingshots (both). I have bad knees as well so I went through this same search last year. NOTHING is even comparable to the softness of a slingshot. Not even close. I still love my Shane, but man, if you have bad knees go with a slingshot. They also have killer pop so long as you edge correctly, but the landings are pillow soft. And with the new 08 boards, you can use any bindings you like. Even if you land hard in the flats, it will feel like going W2W.

Well I went and looked at the slingshot today.... What can I say a revolutionary board I can understand how it would land real soft due to the flex. Not sure how it will hold an edge thou...I will prob pick up a board and boots early next week so I guess I will find out.